The Youth Residential program provides crisis accommodation and support to young people who reside in the Hope Street refuge. This is a safe place where young people and young families are supported to move from a situation of crisis, uncertainty and risk to a situation of calming, planning and being able to act and make decisions regarding their situation and life.

With the expertise of other specialist youth programs located in the same premises as the refuge – as well as the immediate need for shelter, safety, warmth, food and understanding – short term needs are also addressed. General health, dental care, mental health, family relationships, employment, education and training, longer term housing and income are some of the areas young people seek assistance with.

The program provides short-term crisis accommodation to young people that is staffed 24/7.

What does the program offer?

Refuge

capacity to house up to 7 young people: 4 female and 3 male bedrooms

is comfortable and safe—doors and windows are only opened by staff

is free from violence, aggression, harassment, illegal drugs and alcohol

provides food and basic toiletries

provides crisis accommodation up to 6 weeks, with review based on the young person's needs, progress with achieving goals, impact of external supports and connections, engagement, ability to continue to maintain refuge placement, income capacity, and accommodation options - exit points

secure, furnished bedrooms with all general furnishings as well as access to community kitchen/dining area (and daily foods), laundry, separate lounge with TV, DVD and computer games, recreation room and recreational items, and bathroom facilities. Phone and computer access also available

access to crisis case management

Overnight Emergency Beds - this is an additional resource to the Hope Street refuge model which supports a young person's access to overnight crisis accommodation. Each female or male young person is provided a safe and secure room overnight and access to the same refuge resources listed above

Crisis Accommodation (CAP Unit)

accommodates young families - includes mothers/fathers, single mothers/fathers, children and siblings, etc

How can young people enter this program?

16 - 25 years of age—priority given to young people under 21 years of age

linked to the North and North-West Metropolitan region of Melbourne

homeless or at risk of being homeless

Please contact your nearest access point(s) listed on this page to find out more about entering this program.

OUTCOMES SUMMARY

During the 2015-16 period, the program provided 106 accommodation support periods with 98 of these being new support episodes:

Of the new residential clients, 56 of these received emergency bed support, 37 were engaged in the six week bed program, while 5 resided in the family unit

50% of all young people supported for this period were aged 19-21 years while the other 50% were evenly split between younger and older age groups

45% were born overseas

8% identified as being of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander heritage

In addition to the structured Living Skills Program, young people were also offered the opportunity to engage in other aspects of personal development through the support of internal and external facilitators. This resulted in:

76% of young people engaging in cooking skills development

73% being supported to enhance cleaning/hygiene skills

51% participating in budgeting workshop

39% being supported with legal matters

24% engaging in sports and recreation activities

17% exploring aspects of psychosocial development

Of the young people receiving support whilst in the program's six-week stay and family unit:

35% received a general health assessment and support

32% received dental treatment

Learn more about young people's achievements from our program report below.